Vienna Day 4

Vienna Day 4




We had a busy day today, starting with a walking tour of central Vienna with our guide Kris, a young man from Slovenia who is very well travelled and speaks excellent English. Even though we had already spent time in this area we saw lots of new things as well as had a ride on the tram which is another integral part of the public transit system. We started with the group in the morning but then went on our own in the afternoon.

Our group waiting for the tram

Our tour leader Kris

We came upon a farmers market selling only organic products so we sampled the sausage as well as the fried potatoes, both were excellent as well as the Austrian wines. They are selling a wine now called Spurm , which is made of the new grapes of the season and is only available this time of year. It is deceivably light but very potent! We sat at a table with some older Viennese people and with their limited English and my aptitude for Charades we had a great conversation.

Eating organic fried potatoes at the Farmer's market

On our way to the Imperial Treasury we stopped by the stables of the famous Spanish Riding School. The horses weren’t practising or performing today but their stables are behind glass so we were able to see them that way. These horses are the world’s most famous classically trained performers.

The famous white horses

This is the spear that pierced the side of Jesus,it was later wrapped in gold

The Imperial Treasury was something else! It claims to be the richest in Europe and home to some very famous objects that were acquired over the centuries by the Habsburg dynasty. It contains both royal and ecclesial objects, those were the ones we found most amazing. If you are to believe what they say then there is a thorn from the crown of Christ’s crucifixion, the sword that pierced his side and the bowl that collected his blood. I have posted some pictures below.

This is the nail driven into the right hand of Jesus

A piece of the shroud from Jesus face in the tomb

The bowl that collected the blood from Jesus's side at the crucifixion

Then came home, did our laundry and went next door for excellent Japanese food.

Our drying rack,no need to rush the process